<p>Can We Migrate Our Analysis Routines to Python? </p><p><strong>Introduction </strong></p><p>• Can we migrate our analysis routines to Python? </p><p>- MATLAB is powerful, but it’s expensive. </p><p>- Capable open-source alternatives exist and are thriving. <br>• Recent developments in scientific Python libraries have made migration from MATLAB to Python possible and attractive. </p><p>• The IADS Group uses multiple MATLAB licenses. </p><p><strong>Dominance of MATLAB </strong></p><p>• MATLAB is the standard language for engineering analysis. </p><p>• No need to be a programmer to solve engineering problems. • Used for collaboration and development of analysis routines. • MATLAB is required for study in an engineering curriculum </p><p>- ECE 309 (CSUN), “Numerical Methods in Electrical Engineering”, is now taught using MATLAB. It was </p><p>taught using Pascal in the 1980s… </p><p><strong>Dependence on MATLAB </strong></p><p>• IADS uses MATLAB to prototype new analysis routines. </p><p>• IADS uses MATLAB to test and </p><p><strong>We need </strong></p><p>maintain data export and import. </p><p><strong>MATLAB! </strong></p><p>• IADS uses a set of MATLAB scripts to test Autospectrum and PSD results for Every Release. </p><p>• IADS is dependent upon MATLAB. </p><p><strong>Problems with Dependency </strong></p><p>• Budget constraints mean fewer licenses </p><p>and toolboxes are available. <br>• MATLAB version changes force retest </p><p><strong>What happens </strong></p><p><strong>if they take </strong></p><p><strong>MATLAB away from us? </strong></p><p>of data interfaces. </p><p>• Retest requires an active license. • Test Scripts are unusable without a license. </p><p>• Having no backup plan in place </p><p>is risky. </p><p><strong>Requirements for a Replacement </strong></p><p>• Should have broad industry acceptance. </p><p>• Should have scientific libraries that mimic functionality that is commonly used in MATLAB by the flight test community. </p><p>• Should have similar syntax. </p><p>• Total MATLAB functionality is not necessary for our purposes, but it would be nice for going forward. </p><p>• Should be relatively free of periodic licensing hassles. </p><p><strong>Open-Source Alternatives </strong></p><p>• A Google search brings these up: </p><p>Google </p><p>says try these. </p><p>- GNU Octave - Scilab &amp; Xcos </p><p>- Python/NumPy/SciPy </p><p><strong>Gnu Octave </strong></p><p>Octave’s Modern Development Environment </p><p><strong>Gnu Octave </strong></p><p>• IADS Team evaluated Octave right after MATLAB was in use. </p><p>- User Interface was cumbersome. </p><p>- Windows installation package wasn’t comprehensive. </p><p>• Modern Octave install with IDE warrants another evaluation. </p><p>• MATLAB and Octave are basically dialects. </p><p>- MATLAB script can be dropped right in. - Some library manipulation necessary? </p><p><strong>SciLab and Xcos </strong></p><p>SciLab’s Modern Development Environment </p><p><strong>Scilab and Xcos </strong></p><p>• IADS Team also tried Scilab right after MATLAB was in use. </p><p>- User Interface was cumbersome. </p><p>- Windows installation package wasn’t comprehensive. </p><p>- Syntax different enough to cause initial difficulty. <br>• Modern Octave install with IDE plus <br>Simulink alternative Xcos warrants another evaluation. </p><p><strong>Python/SciPy/Matplotlib </strong></p><p>• Anaconda install is comprehensive – Spyder IDE intuitive. </p><p>• Can be installed free on any Windows PC. • Syntax different enough to cause initial difficulty like SciLab. </p><p>• Wide array of available libraries is incentive to push forward. </p><p>• Plots from Matplotlib look good. • Wide industry acceptance is hard to ignore. • Python also functions as a general-purpose programming language. </p><p><strong>Practical Results with Python </strong></p><p>• Working PSD and Autospectrum test script </p><p>• Working RFP Curve Fit test script • Bessel Filter added to IADS using </p><p>SciPy for test </p><p>• Collaboration with users that do not have MATLAB is possible </p><p>• IADS Group can trim MATLAB </p><p>Subscription down to one License for data interface testing. </p><p><strong>Python Downsides </strong></p><p>• Must translate scripts for collaboration with MATLAB users. </p><p>• There&nbsp;is no Simulink “clone” in Python yet. </p><p>• Requires learning new syntax and array/matrix constructs. </p><p>• Requires translation of existing MATLAB-based tools. </p><p>• Not all MATLAB functions are supported in SciPy. </p><p>- ScyPy’s documentation lists everything available </p><p>- New development is happening constantly. </p><p><strong>Conclusions </strong></p><p>• Python/SciPy are sufficient for the IADS Group to replace the </p><p>MATLAB analytical capabilities used presently. <br>• Total elimination of MATLAB licenses is not possible or </p><p>necessary for the IADS Group. </p><p>• Some combination of the open-source applications presented here may possibly completely replace MATLAB for many should the need arise. </p><p>• Python/SciPy Octave and SciLab are now serious, professional engineering analysis tools. </p><p><strong>Contact Information </strong></p><p><strong>For further information regarding IADS contact: </strong></p><p>Patrick Mattingly Vice President <br>SYMVIONICS, Inc. </p><p>(661) 273-7003 x206 </p><p>E-mail: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected] </a></p><p>Commercially available product.&nbsp;Numerous contracting options are available to procure IADS, including GSA contracting vehicles. </p><p><strong>For more information about SYMVIONICS, </strong><a href="/goto?url=http://www.symvionics.com" target="_blank"><strong>see our web site www.symvionics.com, or contact: </strong></a></p><p>Richard A. Weeks <br>Executive Vice President <br>SYMVIONICS, Inc. <br>(626) 585-0115 <br>E-mail: [email protected] </p>